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The upcoming World Cup is at last beginning to seem tangible. While fans are now able to begin planning their schedules, Friday's draw in Washington DC was full of major talking points.

Long before the Village People took to the stage with YMCA, observers were analyzing a opening round that includes a clash between two of the world's best strikers and a knockout stage that could produce a truly mouthwatering encounter between two greats of the game.

The Ceremony That Seemed Like It Would Go On Forever

Many people tuned in keen to discover their national side's initial fixtures. However, even though fans are accustomed to such ceremonies taking some time, this one set a new standard.

After performances by a pop star and a former Pussycat Doll, speeches from dignitaries and football's governing body, plus numerous montages and discussions, it eventually appeared to begin nearly an hour later. That was an illusion.

Cue more interviews and entertainment, before the actual draw eventually began nearly an hour and a half after the star-studded show initially started. The draw itself then took 59 minutes to complete.

On to the Football Itself...

The upcoming tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, with a unprecedented number of nations and a first-ever additional knockout round. However, this increase in size has perhaps led to the group stage being somewhat weakened in quality.

There are very few fixtures between the major nations. The Three Lions' match with Croatia is the most significant on paper. That is the sole opening-round game with two teams ranked in the top 10.

The Selecao versus Morocco is the second most intriguing. The Netherlands have the most difficult draw by Fifa world rankings, while Germany—grouped with less-fancied opponents—have the weakest. Nevertheless, interesting matches still await.

A Pair of Prolific Scorers Go Head-to-Head

Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland will make his debut in his major international competition next summer. The Premier League forward netted 16 goals in eight matches to drag his country to their initial berth since 1998.

Few have been able to rival the 25-year-old's incredible goalscoring feats—except for one player is scheduled to face him in the final round of the group stage. Along with The Lions of Teranga, Norway have been drawn against the French superstar's Les Bleus.

This means the top marksmen in the English top flight and La Liga will clash for the first time in international football. Anticipate net-bulgers. Plenty of scoring.

A Familiar Foe

Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match—and not for the first time. The sides also kicked off the tournament in South Africa. That game, which finished 1-1, is most famous for a thunderous second-half strike.

Another eye-catching group game will see the French again come up against Senegal, who shocked the reigning title-holders back in the 2002 World Cup. On that first day, a future Fulham midfielder upstaged France's galaxy of stars to score the winning goal.

Fantasy Fixtures for the Debutants

Four new nations have taken advantage of the expanded World Cup to reach the tournament for the first occasion. But, standing in their way are past winners, continental title-holders and Copa America winners.

In one group, Curacao, the smallest nation to ever feature in a World Cup, will meet multiple winners Germany. Cape Verde, with a population of around 600,000, will face European champions and 2010 World Cup winners Spain.

The Middle Eastern side, after 40 years of trying, will face title-holders La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, The Central Asian team will be guided by a 2006 World Cup winner against Cristiano Ronaldo's Selecao das Quinas.

And Then Comes the Knockout Stage?

If all the top teams make it safely through their groups, fans may not wait long for the heavyweights to collide. The round of 32 is where things could get extremely interesting, most notably with a possible matchup between past winners Germany and France.

On the other side of the bracket, eyes will be drawn to the last eight, where old rivals Messi and Ronaldo are set for a possible showdown. It would depend on both Messi's team and Portugal finishing top and squeezing through the initial playoffs.

For England, a match with co-hosts Mexico seems the most likely last-32 tie. And, if the Scots are able to get through, Japan or the Dutch could be waiting in what would be their historic World Cup playoff match.